CHIPS Bulletin 8/10/14

SBLO Sign Up – please do not delay in signing up for SBLO – contact the HUB to arrange your eligibility check – Kirsty/Rachel 01992 504013. We hope that all children will have been assessed by Christmas.

17th October – CHIPS AGM – Wodson Park, Ware – you should by now have received the AGM invitation and paperwork. Please let the office know if you are planning to attend. Just to remind you that Staff from The HUB will also be at the AGM, giving parents the opportunity to sign up for SBLO. Just bring your documents along to sign up on the night. Please note this is only for parents who do not have a care package. We are also looking for raffle prizes for the AGM, if you have a prize that you would like to donate please contact the office.

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – Broxbourne Borough Council were asked by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire to make a nomination of a local voluntary organisation for a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. They decided to nominate CHIPS for all our consistent good work with young people with additional needs. The nomination was entered online on 30th September. Decision will not be made until next June.

HCC – funding for equipment – advance notice – there is an equipment fund being made available. Equipment must be over £100, linked to a child’s needs and not health related. It should have a life of over 12 months. More details to come.

Ofsted Reports for Ware, Cheshunt & Hoddesdon schemes are now on the website, if you would like a copy emailed/sent to you, please contact the office.

General Information:

If you would like further information on any of the opportunities detailed below, please contact the office on 01992 534664.

Football training for young people with disabilities – Berkhamsted Raiders Community Football Club. Turn up and play sessions (no need to book).

Free parent training sessions about reforms to Special Educational Needs in England.

Kidzone – CHIPS are recruiting for a fun, energetic and driven Leader for our Kidzone Sibling support group. The group is for brothers and sister and meet up once a month. We arrange trips and activities such as bowling, arts & crafts, trip to London, ice skating, swimming and more. As the Leader you’ll be expected to help organise these trips and be responsible for the young people during them along with the help of some assistants. Ideally we’ll be looking for someone who has previous experience in this line of work and working with young people. Please let the office know if you know of anyone who would be interested in this vacancy.

General Staffing: – We are looking for extra staff in all locations, but particularly at our Hertford Scheme. Please contact the office if you know of anyone who would be interested in working at CHIPS, or alternatively ask them to contact the office to request an application form.

Forthcoming Events:

11th October – Quiz night in aid of CHIPS. The Hoddesdon Conservative Club, Rye Road, Hoddesdon. Teams of 8 – £5.00 per head. Please contact Kerry on Tach.Com.RYPKDepot @ sainsburys.co.uk to register your team name or for further details. Tables still available.

25th October – Marks & Spencer’s have kindly allowed us to do a bag pack at their store in Hertford – urgent request for help, please let us know if you can spare an hour or two.

7th November – the ever popular CHIPS Quiz, to be held at Wodson Park, 8pm – please let the office know if you would like to reserve a table. Over half the tables have now been allocated – please do not delay if you want to join in.

21st November – fundraising adults only disco at the De Vere Venues, Theobalds Park, Cheshunt – more details to follow soon.

29th November – An Indian cuisine evening at our Trustee Sukanta’s house in Cuffley – please contact the office for further details.

20th December – Christmas bag packing at Marks & Spencer’s in Hertford – again please let us know if you can spare an hour or two to help out.

Sponsorship/Fundraisers:

A fundraising plea – we urgently need your support with our fundraising activities, we need to raise £60-£70K each year and we can only achieve this target with your help. Please let us know if you have any fundraising ideas.

Matt Reed – (Assistant at Hertford) ran the BUPA Great Yorkshire Run in 57 minutes – a big thank you and well done to Matt!! Matt’s Virgin giving page will be open for the next few weeks, so you can still donate via the link on the CHIPS website www.chipsplay.org We will let you know the final total raised.